Super Pretzel

Hi Robert, Thanks for posting, I hope we can help!

Here are a few questions to get the discussion started...

Can you give us a little description of the space you are modeling in?
Room dimensions etc? A little sketch would be nice.

What kind of railroading do you enjoy? switching? watching mainline trains roll by? something else?

And also, what scale are you working in?

Suggestion

Hi Robert,

From experience can I suggest that you make your sections no wider than 24"... I'm actually thinking that my next layout will be 18" wide but I have to experiment with that some first. Anything over 24" start to get difficult to do anything with in the rear of that section. Also by limiting yourself to a narrower benchwork you can do an around the wall or a number of other configurations. If you attach a backdrop to the rear of the section you can make the layout seem much larger as well.

Good Luck!!! Post some pictures as you make progress...

Super Pretzel Atlas Layout

Thanks Bill for the response. Sorry for the time since you asked your question. Problems logging in on this website. My layout is a very large "L". The main table is 5 X 12, with a 5 X 6 "L" attached at one end. If you look at the Atlas Super Pretzel layout in their book, you will see what I am talking about. But I changed it around. Where the tracks cross I have the cross over track raised in the air. I connected most of the by-pass sidings to have the track continue more around the layout.  More of a double track if you will. This allowed me to have more interesting bridges, tunnels and mountain scenery. The other end of the main board I haven't done much with. The track comes down the back side of the layout and curves down in front, but ends there. This is where the wife has designated as her territory. She is making a waterfront scene. So I am told. I seem to be the only person working down here. My problem is trying to reach in the middle of the layout to do any work of any kind. Having driven over 2 million miles as a long haul truck driver in roughly 40 years didn't do my back any favors. So, needless to say I have much pain, especially after working on my layout. This is where I should have paid more attention to the advice in the books and on line about starting your layout with a plan. Not knowing what I wanted in the first place is why I didn't have a plan. I picked out what I thought was an interesting layout and jumped in with both feet. Now, my back is cussing me out for not building a shelf around my basement walls. Its not like I don't have the room. The hole basement is mine. Mine! Roughly 1300 square feet. My model rail road "Man Cave". Since I posted my question, I have changed the layout some. I had a bad section of track at one of my cross overs. I tried using a 25% degree cross over. I think that is right. I went through 3 of them. I could not get them to work. I found out on the internet that many other molders have had the same problem with this cross over. It seems that Atlas knows of this problem for over 3 years, but haven't done anything about it. I guess the Chinese are putting little bugs in them to come to the US.

I am using Atlas Code 100 Flex Track as well. I tried using Micro Engineering's track. What a disaster. I got it to work, and it looks good. Buit what a pain in the @#$!. I wont be buying any more of it. And Micro Engineering is only 10 miles from my house.

I like a little mix of railroading. Some switching,  some watching them go by. I am modeling somewhere in the New England area about the time frame of the 20's up to the late 40's. Again this turned into a pain trying to make everything prototypical. I decided this is my railroad in my world. But I am making everything realistic. Nothing crazy. Meaning I have been trying to match soil, trees, rolling stock, locomotives and most everything to be more prototypical, but this has turned into endless research and work than a great relaxing hobby. I am retired by the way. Sometimes. To much great stuff on the internet. Everytime I think I know what I want, I see something else that is better. So, as the song goes, 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. Any help and advice will be much, much appreciated. Thanks again for the response.

Modeling In Circles  

Revamping layout

This much I knew going into the layout. I think my tightest curve is 23 degree. And I will be posting some pics soon as to my progress, or lack of. Please see my other post in answering Bill's questions. Am learning much every day. So far I have been in this hobby 2 years, and have yet to see a locomotive make it around the layout. Will keep in touch as soon as I figure out how the camera, computer and me all work together.